Topical Bible: Blindness: Moab

◄ Blindness: Moab ►

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In the biblical context, blindness often symbolizes spiritual ignorance or a lack of understanding of God's will. The nation of Moab, a frequent adversary of Israel, is depicted in the Scriptures as experiencing both physical and spiritual blindness due to their idolatry and opposition to God's people.

Historical Background

Moab was a nation located east of the Dead Sea, descended from Lot through his eldest daughter (Genesis 19:37). The Moabites were often in conflict with Israel, and their land was known for its fertile plains and rich resources. Despite their proximity to Israel, the Moabites frequently led the Israelites into idolatry and immorality, drawing them away from the worship of Yahweh.

Spiritual Blindness of Moab

The spiritual blindness of Moab is highlighted in several prophetic passages. Isaiah 25:10-12 speaks of God's judgment upon Moab, emphasizing their pride and arrogance. The prophet declares, "For the hand of the LORD will rest on this mountain, but Moab will be trampled in their place as straw is trodden down in the dung pit" (Isaiah 25:10). This imagery of being trampled reflects their spiritual downfall and inability to perceive God's sovereignty.

Jeremiah also prophesies against Moab, describing their false sense of security and reliance on their own strength. In Jeremiah 48:29, the prophet states, "We have heard of Moab’s pride, his exceeding pride and conceit, his proud arrogance and haughtiness of heart" . This pride is a form of spiritual blindness, preventing Moab from recognizing their need for repentance and submission to God.

Consequences of Blindness

The consequences of Moab's spiritual blindness are severe. In Zephaniah 2:9, the prophet warns, "Therefore, as I live—declares the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel—surely Moab will become like Sodom, and the Ammonites like Gomorrah—a place of weeds and salt pits, a perpetual wasteland" . This prophecy underscores the total desolation that results from their persistent rebellion and spiritual ignorance.

Lessons from Moab's Blindness

The account of Moab serves as a cautionary tale for all nations and individuals who turn away from God. Their blindness, rooted in pride and idolatry, led to their downfall and serves as a reminder of the importance of humility and obedience to God's commands. The biblical narrative encourages believers to seek spiritual sight through faith and adherence to God's Word, avoiding the pitfalls of pride and self-reliance that characterized Moab.

Conclusion

While Moab's physical and spiritual blindness led to their destruction, the Scriptures offer hope for those who turn to God in repentance. The lessons from Moab's history call believers to examine their own lives, ensuring that they walk in the light of God's truth and avoid the spiritual blindness that leads to judgment.

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2 Kings 3:27
Then he took his oldest son that should have reigned in his stead, and offered him for a burnt offering on the wall. And there was great indignation against Israel: and they departed from him, and returned to their own land.
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Library

The Sin of Unbelief
... He had, doubtless, seen the marvelous defeat of Moab; he had been startled ... revealed
Benhadad's secrets and smitten his marauding hosts with blindness; he had ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the sin of unbelief.htm

At the Same Time God Spoke to Abraham, and Promised that his Seed ...
... The angels, however, speedily rescued him from danger, by causing blindness to fall
upon ... while he was intoxicated, and hence sprung the race of Moab and Ammon. ...
/.../severus/life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter vi at the same.htm

How God Overthrew the Nation of the Sodomites, Out of his Wrath ...
... their impudent behavior, so that he both smote those men with blindness, and condemned ...
and they bare sons; the son of the elder was named Moab, Which denotes ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 11 how god overthrew.htm

And ii.
... the words, "Upon all the cities of the land of Moab, far and ... overlooking the fact
that these are conditional, referred, in hypocritical blindness, to themselves ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap i and ii.htm

Discussion of the Subject of Permission
... The Israelites, pursuing the king of Moab, when they saw that he had offered his ...
is the act of God, who punishes that sin by merited desertion, and blindness. ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 3/discussion of the subject of.htm

Chapter xix
... calls it a "mental blindness," adding that it is "a punishment for their utter moral
blindness." For in ... And the first-born bare a son and called his name Moab. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xix.htm

The King after Man's Heart
... the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab, and they ... The
dash of human infirmity and fatherly blindness gives reality to the picture. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the king after mans heart.htm

In Jericho and at Bethany - Jericho - a Guest with Zacch??us - the ...
... Far across the river rise the mountains of Moab, on which lies the purple and
violet colouring. ... oh, terribly fatal blindness and jealousy! ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxiv in jericho and.htm

Second Sunday after Trinity Exhortation to Brotherly Love.
... O my people, remember now what Balak, king of Moab, devised; and what Balaam ... God's
grace, proclaimed his Word that recovered us from the blindness and idolatry ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/second sunday after trinity exhortation.htm

Letter xxii. To Eustochium.
... his error was a grave one, for it made him the father of Moab and Ammon ... sent to arrest
the prophet, and were smitten with physical and mental blindness, that he ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter xxii to eustochium.htm